Professional Fundraisers and Fundraising Counsels

The West Virginia Charitable Organizations Division registers and regulates charitable organizations, the professional solicitors, and the professional fundraising counsels with whom they contract to assist in raising funds from the public.

Purpose of the Division

• To protect the people of the state by requiring full public disclosure by persons and organizations who solicit funds from the public

• To prevent deceptive and dishonest statements and conduct in the solicitation and reporting of such funds in the name of charity

Required disclosure includes the purposes for which such funds are solicited and how they are actually used.

IRS Tax Exempt Status

Notice to 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporations
If you intend to apply to the IRS for recognition of federal tax-exempt status as a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, your articles must contain certain provisions. For more information, visit the IRS website Charitable Organizations section.

General Requirements
To learn about the general requirements for federal tax-exempt status, visit the IRS website, or download IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization). Visit the IRS Resource Library for additional information and resources.

Registering a Complaint

For any complaints relating to professional fundraisers or fundraising counsels, please complete our General Complaint form General Complaint form.

Professional Fundraiser & Fundraising Counsel Resources

Visit the links below to learn about registration and disclosure requirements, enforcement, and to find information useful to contributors, organizations and others.

• Registration Steps

• Fundraiser FAQs

• Requesting Information

• Compliance

• Disclosure

• WV Code Chapter 29, Article 19

Contact the Charities Division for further assistance regarding charitable organizations, professional fundraisers and fundraising counsels.​​